Match Centre

Tavistock AFC Firsts

Saltash United AFC

The Lambs put a magnificent team performance in the biggest game of the season so far. The win now moves them five points clear of a Saltash side that have been in top spot for long periods. The game was watched by around four hundred football fans who witnessed a very entertaining encounter between two quality teams. The Lambs got off to a flying start and with the wind at their backs took the lead in the seventh minute, with Dave Hallett winning the ball in midfield, his fine pass found Josh Grant who provided the perfect pass to Glynn Hobbs, his fierce shot was saved by Rickard, but he followed up the rebound to flash home the vital opener. Saltash rallied after this set back and four minutes later their first effort on goal, saw a fine header from Hughes go well wide of the target. The visitors were now showing signs of the reason they have been so successful this season. Saltash equalised in the 25 th minute when a shot from Farrant to a wicked deflection off defender Dan Evans and looped over Josh Oak into the top corner of the net. The game was now flowing from end to end with both teams playing some really good football in difficult conditions, with both sides creating some half chances. Both Barker and Richards saw their efforts wide of the target, before Jack Crago shoot well over, then Warren Daw saw his shot well saved by Rickard. Just before the interval the Lambs regained the lead when a Dave Hallett corner was flicked on by Dan Evans saw Jack Crago rise majestically at the far post to power home a great header, giving the home team a half time lead. Playing against the wind in the second half the Lambs got off to a flying start, two minutes in and Josh Grant saw his fine header brilliantly save by Rickard in the visitors goal. Jack Crago then saw his effort well saved, Glynn Hobbs then went close. The Lambs deservedly increased their lead in the 54th minute with a fantastic passing move culminating in the perfect cross from Glynn Hobbs for Josh Grant to fire home from ten yards. Minutes later Saltash were awarded a free kick Trott twenty five yard shot was well saved by Josh Oak. On the hour Rickard was again called into actor to make another fine save to deny Jewell. The Lambs produced some really great passing football against the elements, and looked the more likely to increase their lead, rather then concede. Josh Grant was ruled off side when he was put in on goal by a fine pass by Jewell. Both Shane Krac and Glynn Hobbs went close for the home team before Josh Oak had to make a fine save when he turned a fierce shot from Trott over the bar in the 88th minute. Ricki Shepherd then made a penetrating run brushing aside two defenders before passing to Glynn Hobbs who flashed a shot just inches wide of the target. The final whistle went giving the Lambs a well deserved victory. This was a terrific team performance with everyone playing too their true potential. The defence were magnificent, midfield was controlled with some great passing, and the forwards were superb with their movement off the ball. If the team can maintain this level of this performance over the last nine games then they will be in with a shout of challenging for the title